Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

Answ. 1. The Word of God which they apply to their Sorrow, they ought as well to apply to their Comfort; for those who are really grieved that they can't satisfy themselves, much less, as they think, Christ: They are mistaken; for Christ is ordinarily best satisfied, with that which the gracious Soul is least satisfied. e. g. That Prayer which he is most ashamed of, Christ most approves of.^(f) The Flowers appear on the Earth, the time of the Singing of Birds is come, and the Voice of the Turtle is heard in our Land. 'Tis Spring-time in the Soul: When the Groans of a contrite Heart sound harsh to others, they are Music in Christs Ears; not that Christ delights in his peoples Sorrows, but as they are Evidences of his Graces in them, and of his Spirit's abiding with them. It is only the gracious Soul that is grieved at Heart, that he can't give Christ a better account of his profiting.^(g) O my God I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God—What shall I say after this?— There's hope in Israel concerning this thing. The Apostle expressly assures us, that^(h) those that judge themselves shall not be judged, with a Judgment of Condemnation. Cheer up therefore, poor dropping Soul, and to thy comfort consider, whether this be not the only thing wherein Christ and you Believers be not of the same mind: Christ puts a better interpretation of his actings, than he himself dares; many a time Christ owns that as Grace, which he condemns for Hypocrisy; Christ forgives him that which he can never forgive himself; Christ says, Well done good and faithful Servant, for that which he ever finds fault with.

Answ. 1. The Word of God which they apply to their Sorrow, they ought as well to apply to their Comfort; for those who are really grieved that they can't satisfie themselves, much less, as they think, Christ: They are mistaken; for Christ is ordinarily best satisfied, with that which the gracious Soul is least satisfied. e. g. That Prayer which he is most ashamed of, Christ most approves of.^(f) The Flowers appear on the Earth, the time of the Singing of Birds is come, and the Voice of the Turtle is heard in our Land. 'Tis Spring-time in the Soul: When the Groans of a contrite Heart sound harsh to others, they are Musick in Christs Ears; not that Christ delights in his peoples Sorrows, but as they are Evidences of his Graces in them, and of his Spirit's abiding with them. It is only the gracious Soul that is grieved at Heart, that he can't give Christ a better account of his profiting.